Cost of Car Insurance In Every State

Cost of Car Insurance In Every State

by Wade Bruffey

Before you place that phone call to save 15 percent or more, check out the cost of car insurance in every state.

Every car insurance company claims they can save you money on your monthly rate, but there are more forces at work here than your flawless (or not so flawless) driving record or credit score. Even the state where you live can impact your annual car insurance premium, so take the claims of those countless ads with a grain of salt.

Credio, a personal finance site that's part of the Graphiq network, set out to compare insurance rates across the nation, despite numerous complicating factors. A study commissioned by Insure.com and conducted by Quadrant Information Services provided just the data we were looking for. Using these figures, they determined the average annual car insurance premium for all 50 states. After that, they calculated how much the average person paid for car insurance each month, and how much that number differed from the nationwide average. Then, pulling some data of our own from Graphiq's knowledge graph, we also determined how much insurance rates changed as the result of an accident or speeding ticket in each state.

The study took rates from six large insurance carriers in 10 zip codes in every state. The study used a 40-year-old man with a good driving record and good credit as the example policy holder. The rates presented are based on the average for the 20 best-selling vehicles in the U.S., excluding high-end sports or luxury vehicles, which would impact average rates significantly. This list ranks states in descending order, from highest average annual premium to lowest.

Before you place that phone call to save 15 percent or more, check out the cost of car insurance in every state.

#50. Michigan

Average Annual Premium Cost: $2,738
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +107%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $228
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 34%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 16%

#49. Montana

Average Annual Premium Cost: $2,297
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +73%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $191
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 15%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 4%

#48. New Jersey

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,905
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +44%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $159
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 15%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 21%

#47. Louisiana

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,842
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +39%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $154
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 22%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 26%

#46. Oklahoma

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,778
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +34%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $148
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 21%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 17%

#45. California

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,752
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +32%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $146
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 19%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 16%

#44. Florida

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,654
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +25%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $138
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 16%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 22%

#43. Maryland

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,610
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +22%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $134
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 13%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 14%

#42. Rhode Island

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,608
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +21%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $134
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 7%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 9%

#41. Delaware

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,607
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +21%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $134
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 17%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 1%

#40. Georgia

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,559
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +18%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $130
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 15%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 2%

#39. Texas

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,510
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +14%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $126
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 14%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 20%

#38. West Virginia

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,456
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +10%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $121
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 17%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 0%

#37. Wyoming

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,421
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +7%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $118
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 3%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 0%

#36. Colorado

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,393
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +5%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $116
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 24%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 22%

#35. Connecticut

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,367
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +3%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $114
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 14%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 14%

#34. South Carolina

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,353
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +2%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $113
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 31%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 24%

#33. Arkansas

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,345
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +2%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $112
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 19%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 3%

#32. Alabama

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,337
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +1%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $111
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 28%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 16%

#31. Massachusetts

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,325
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: +0%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $110
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 14%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 13%

#30. Pennsylvania

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,305
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -2%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $109
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 10%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 15%

#29. Kentucky

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,295
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -2%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $108
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 36%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 23%

#27. New Mexico - Tie

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,277
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -4%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $106
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 18%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 6%

#27. Mississippi - Tie

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,277
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -4%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $106
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 21%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 11%

#26. Oregon

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,267
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -4%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $106
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 25%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 15%

#25. Minnesota

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,257
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -5%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $105
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 17%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 30%

#24. Nevada

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,221
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -8%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $102
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 18%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 4%

#23. North Dakota

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,200
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -9%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $100
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 22%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 7%

#21. Nebraska - Tie

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,188
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -10%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $99
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 18%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 3%

#21. Arizona - Tie

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,188
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -10%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $99
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 18%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 16%

#19. South Dakota - Tie

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,168
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -12%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $97
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 12%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 4%

#19. Washington - Tie

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,168
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -12%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $97
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 19%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 18%

#18. Tennesee

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,145
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -14%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $95
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 17%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 22%

#17. Kansas

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,135
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -14%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $95
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 15%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 3%

#16. Indiana

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,113
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -16%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $93
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 12%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 15%

#15. Alaska

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,078
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -19%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $90
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 6%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 7%

#14. Utah

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,061
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -20%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $88
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 22%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 28%

#13. Missouri

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,056
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -20%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $88
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 16%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 21%

#12. New York

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,050
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -21%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $88
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 12%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 21%

#11. Hawaii

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,049
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -21%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $87
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 21%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 0%

#10. Illinois

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,035
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -22%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $86
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 20%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 11%

#9. Virgina

Average Annual Premium Cost: $1,020
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -23%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $85
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 11%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 22%

#8. Iowa

Average Annual Premium Cost: $989
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -25%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $82
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 14%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 31%

#7. North Carolina

Average Annual Premium Cost: $987
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -26%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $82
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 28%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 39%

#6. Vermont

Average Annual Premium Cost: $942
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -29%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $79
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 32%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 10%

#5. New Hampshire

Average Annual Premium Cost: $941
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -29%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $78
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 15%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 11%

#4. Idaho

Average Annual Premium Cost: $935
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -29%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $78
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 22%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 10%

#3. Wisconsin

Average Annual Premium Cost: $912
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -31%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $76
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 30%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 22%

#2. Ohio

Average Annual Premium Cost: $900
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -32%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $75
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 10%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 18%

#1. Maine

Average Annual Premium Cost: $808
Annual Premium Compared to the National Average: -39%

Average Monthly Premium Cost: $67
Monthly Premium Increase After a Speeding Violation: 16%
Monthly Premium Increase After an Accident: 1%

Summary

If your car insurance premium seems steep, you might want to blame your state instead of your insurance company. Customers in Michigan pay 107 percent more than the national average, while customers in Maine pay just 60 percent of the national average.

Differences in state insurance law are the primary reason for large disparities in annual premiums. Michigan -- which uses a "no fault" insurance structure that also requires customers to purchase bundled lifetime medical benefits, incorporates these additional costs into the annual price of car insurance. The prevalence of car accidents in a given state can also impact insurance premiums. Insurance rates are higher in Montana because it has more than double the national average vehicle accident fatality rate.

On the other hand, certain factors can also drive down the cost of car insurance. For example, customers in states with mild weather tend to enjoy lower insurance rates. In states like Wisconsin, where there are few major population centers and therefore less roadway congestion, insurance rates also go down. Another less obvious factor that drives rates down is the prevalence of car insurance in a given state. In states like Maine and Massachusetts where less than 5 percent of drivers are uninsured, drivers reap the benefits of responsibility.

Bear in mind that these numbers are only averages. Many factors, including your age, the neighborhood you live in, and the car you drive can impact your insurance rate.